Gran Canaria

Do you need a car in Gran Canaria? Introduction

Gran Canaria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, but as with the other Canary Islands, there is no rail-based public transport to get around here, just an extensive network of buses.

Why should you rent a car in Gran Canaria?

What are the main reasons for hiring a car here? Do you just want to drive locally? Do you want to go further afield, or should you even look at taking a road trip?
In terms of factors like the cost of the hire itself, fuel costs, road tolls and parking charges, is it worth hiring a car in Gran Canaria?

Why not? Visiting Gran Canaria without a car

Gran Canaria public transport quick facts

Train score

00%

Water travel score

50%

Overall public transport score

30%

Walking and Cycling Overview

Active travel score

This overall rating considers walking and cycling in and around Gran Canaria.

60%

It’s perfectly easy enough to visit Gran Canaria using resort transfers, local buses and taxis, but doing this means missing out on some of the stunning scenery that the island has to offer. Again, you can take an organised bus tour to see some of this, but we think it is just much better to do it by car.

What if we are easy either way?

What if I prefer to drive?

Verdict

What is our final score for Gran Canaria on the Carornocar scale?

9

However, before making the choice to hire a car in Gran Canaria based on price alone, it’s worth adding up all the hidden extras, such as mandatory fuel contracts. It’s also worth comparing these costs with the price of a few local taxi journeys. Taxis in the Canary Islands tend to be very cheap, and even a transfer from the airport is unlikely to break the bank, as nothing is very far from anywhere else on Gran Canaria.

However, buses tend to be concentrated on a few select routes between the main resorts and other urban areas and the airport.

Verdict – yes

Would you hire a car in Gran Canaria?

Have you driven in Gran Canaria?
Do you agree with our advice on whether or not it's worth hiring a car in Gran Canaria?